Good Planning A Key To New Year's Promise To Quit Smoking, Australia

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 05 Jan 2010 - 0:00 PST

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AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said good planning was a key to fulfilling New Year's resolutions to quit smoking.

"Giving up smoking is a common New Year's resolution, and with good planning smokers can increase their chances of successfully quitting smoking for ever," Dr Pesce said.

"There are many ways to quit smoking and different methods will suit different people. For advice and support, see your GP who can talk you through the different methods and help with an approach that is best suited to you.

"The Quitline is also a good source of information. It can be contacted on 131 848 or online at http://www.quitnow.info.au."

Dr Pesce said quitting smoking had immediate health benefits, including reducing the risk of disease and improving overall health.

"It will also protect those around you from second hand smoke and save you money," he said.

Tobacco smoking is the single largest preventable cause of ill health and death in Australia, contributing to more drug-related hospitalisations and deaths than alcohol and illicit drug use combined.

It is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, cancer and a variety of other diseases and conditions.

Methods to quit smoking, include 'cold turkey', nicotine replacement therapy (gum, patches, lozenges, tablets, and inhaler), and prescription medicines.

Source
Australian Medical Association

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